The Cowboys had some standouts in their first and only preseason win on Friday, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Defensive end James Houston flashed despite hurting his elbow early. Running back Deuce Vaughn did what he’s done each of the previous two seasons and showcased his ability when he actually had the chance to play. Undrafted rookie safety Alijah Clark sought ball carries like a heat-seeking missile.

If the Cowboys were going off Friday as the only factor in terms of cuts, then all three would likely make the team. The reality: It’s a comprehensive evaluation, starting in workouts and organized team activities and stretching through Friday’s preseason finale.

Related:Anxious times await Cowboys players on roster bubble as 53-man cut-down day looms

Schottenheimer did indicate, however, that padded practices, the joint practice with the Rams and the three preseason games would provide more clues to their roster decisions.

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“Any time you could see these guys play as close as they can to real football possible, those things do sometimes have a little bit of a weighted grade,” he said.

With that in mind, let’s look at our final roster projection. Schottenheimer said this process is supposed to be hard. After doing four of these throughout the preseason, I believe he’s not wrong.

One quick note before we dive in: This will be the roster projection after injury designations are cemented. NFL teams are allowed to put two players on injured reserve immediately by the 3 p.m. Tuesday deadline, freeing two spots on the roster right away. Others they plan to put on injured reserve with the intention to return after a minimum of four weeks must be on the initial 53-man roster for at least one day. The Cowboys could release some veterans they plan on bringing back after 24 hours. Those roster spots would then be freed by placing other players on injured reserve.

Quarterbacks (2)

Players: Dak Prescott, Joe Milton

This decision comes down to risk vs. reward. The Cowboys have some tough decisions to make elsewhere on the roster. I think the reward of using two quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster outweighs the risk of potentially losing Will Grier, a path the Cowboys followed a couple of years ago. There’s a good chance they could keep Grier on the practice squad. One other factor helping with that equation: Milton took a huge stride in the final preseason game. His footwork was on point — except on his one touchdown throw, he admitted — and he looked calm. He was removed early in the second half. Was that a signal that the Cowboys had seen enough of him? I think so.

Running backs (4)

Players: Javonte Williams, Hunter Luepke, Jaydon Blue, Miles Sanders

I don’t know if it would be a bigger surprise for Sanders or Phil Mafah to make this roster. Sanders played well early in training camp, but missed some time with a knee injury. He also missed the preseason finale with a shoulder injury. His one preseason game wasn’t impressive. Mafah has had some nice runs throughout the preseason, including a 15-yard carry against the Falcons when he broke multiple tackles. If it were me, I’d keep Mafah. I think the Cowboys may want to keep the veteran Sanders and stash Mafah on the practice squad.

Wide receivers (6)

Players: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy, Jalen Brooks

Schottenheimer said the last two weeks of practice for Brooks have probably been the best he’s had this preseason. He had a contested touchdown catch from Milton in Friday’s win — just a couple of days after he made another big touchdown catch in practice in Frisco. Could that be enough to warrant six receivers? I think so. Brooks and Flournoy not only have momentum, but they also have the ability to play on special teams. Flournoy in particular has taken big strides. Those two should have spots before Jonathan Mingo comes off injured reserve, if the Cowboys choose to put him there. Rookie Traeshon Holden and Jalen Cropper did enough to warrant being on the practice squad.

Related:10 observations as Cowboys’ preseason ends: Micah Parsons’ contract, RB follies and moreTight ends (3)

Players: Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker

This position is sneakily intriguing. Spann-Ford has started some very light rehab work coming off his sprained ankle at the start of camp. Could the Cowboys put him on injured reserve to open up another spot? Possibly. If so, two candidates would be Princeton Fant and undrafted rookie Rivaldo Fairweather, who had some flashes this preseason. Fant is also a candidate to make the team outright if they keep four tight ends.

Offensive line (9)

Players: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, Nate Thomas, Brock Hoffman, Hakeem Adeniji, T.J. Bass

Nine is a little light on the offensive line, especially when the starting left tackle is not a certainty to return for Week 1, but I feel like the work the Cowboys did in cross-training their backup linemen at multiple positions is enough to warrant this roster configuration. Rookie tackle Ajani Cornelius took major strides this offseason. If they keep 10 or more, he’s a candidate.

Defensive line (10)

Players: Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Solomon Thomas, Mazi Smith, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Dante Fowler, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Perrion Winfrey, James Houston

I just couldn’t keep Houston off the roster. If padded practice and games mean more, then Houston should be one of the biggest beneficiaries. He had a sack and three pressures in 27 pass-rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Anecdotally, he also felt like one of the few people to generate a pass rush in all three games for the Cowboys. The surprise cut here is former New Orleans first-round pick Payton Turner. Being a free agent acquisition will make it tougher for the Cowboys to say goodbye, but I think bidding farewell to Houston would be harder. Winfrey could be another spring-league success story for the Cowboys. And then there’s the interior defensive tackle spot. Smith is on the roster bubble, but it would be a surprise for the Cowboys to cut him after two seasons. Jay Toia, the seventh-round pick out of UCLA, is a candidate to make the roster, but in this case they would put him through waivers in the hopes of keeping him on the practice squad.

Linebackers (5)

Players: Jack Sanborn, Kenneth Murray Jr., Marist Liufau, Damone Clark, Shemar James

Schottenheimer said this position would be difficult to decide, which was slightly surprising. It makes me wonder if Buddy Johnson could spark them to keep six linebackers. He’s well-liked in the locker room and provides a lot of special teams ability. The other five have earned spots on the roster, making the linebacker position one of their deepest.

Corners (7)

Players: DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, Kaiir Elam, Israel Mukuamu, Andrew Booth, Kemon Hall, Zion Childress

Schottenheimer said Diggs would start the season on the 53-man roster, making it seem like he’ll be ready to play before Week 4. Diggs has looked good in rehab drills of late. With that in mind, I think the Cowboys go a little heavier here to make sure they cover their bases. The three candidates to be cut here if the Cowboys were to only go with six: Mukuamu, Hall and Childress. Caelen Carson, Shavon Revel Jr. and Josh Butler could all start the year with injury designations.

Safeties (4)

Players: Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell

Clark played very well in the third preseason game. I think that could warrant some consideration as a fifth safety and a special teams asset. I think he likely ends up on the practice squad. Same with fellow undrafted safety Mike Smith. The other four are now entering their third season as a quartet for the Cowboys.

Specialists (3)

Players: Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg

The three are inseparable during practice and games. They won’t be separated here.

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